How Project Management Theory Improves Program and Event Planning in the Library: Science Literacy Week as a Case Study

To expand on the successful 2016 pilot, the University of Alberta Libraries combined giveaways with live demonstrations, experiments and tutorials to deliver over 50 events for Science Literacy Week 2017. Many of these presentations incorporated a non-traditional outreach and partnership plan never before seen at the UAL. This innovative model garnered much attention and participation from the campus and surrounding community, with 26 internal and external partners collaborating to offer the wide breadth of events. This presentation will outline the successes and lessons learned in the organization of a large scale event while creatively broadening library outreach. There will also be a discussion on how project management techniques have since been integrated into the event to ensure sustainability for future offerings. Resources and tips on project management will be provided so that future and current information professionals can learn how to gain and utilize these skills in their own library related projects.